She didn't know what loving married couples in other families were like, because before her Elder Sister entered the palace, Mother was oppressed by the First Wife, who wouldn't allow Mother, being a concubine, to eat at the table.
Although the rules were proper, the First Wife always allowed Concubine Lin to dine at the table, while making Mother stand and serve everyone until they finished, only then allowing her to eat their leftovers.
The humiliation Mother endured could not be fully described even in three days and nights.
Fortunately, shortly after Elder Sister entered the palace, she gained the Emperor's favor, and the First Wife no longer dared to openly bully Mother.
It was all thanks to Elder Sister that their lives gradually improved.
Mother is now Father's primary wife, while the First Wife, who had committed many evil deeds, is barely hanging on to life and likely has only a year left.
Even the dogs in the back courtyard now know that after the First Wife's death, the Second Wife will immediately be elevated to primary status. These days, when they see her mother, their tails wag with excitement.
Father is quite affectionate towards Mother.
However... Father's love for Mother isn't like the Emperor's devotion to Elder Sister, where his heart and eyes seem to contain only her, with everyone else fading into the background.
From beginning to end, her brother-in-law the Emperor only glanced at her once when she first arrived.
This finally put her anxious heart at ease.
Not to be conceited, but among Father and Mother's children, she and Elder Sister and their brother were the most striking in appearance.
Elder Sister's beauty was like that of a celestial maiden, absolutely stunning, and she herself wasn't far behind, with suitors practically wearing down the doorstep of the Jiang family.
Few men could resist stealing glances at her.
But that's why he's the Emperor, isn't it?
Indeed, he's a man of experience who won't be bewitched by mere beauty.
This meant she could stay comfortably in the Changchun Pavilion without worrying about being taken into the imperial harem.
"What are you smiling about, sister?"
Jiang Xinyue was having her meal when she noticed Jiang Xinyan burying her head in her bowl, smiling foolishly.
She looked adorably silly.
Jiang Xinyan raised her eyes from her bowl, revealing crescent-moon shaped eyes full of mirth: "I'm just happy seeing how loving you and brother-in-law Emperor are together. You've both found your lifelong partners. I don't know whether to be happier for Elder Sister or for brother-in-law Emperor, so I'll just be happy for both of you!"
"Brother-in-law Emperor?"
The Xuanwu Emperor raised an eyebrow, his lips curving upward as he looked at Jiang Xinyue: "Your sister is quite clever and interesting. That Pei Zhishuo indeed isn't worthy of her."
No one in the capital knew Pei Zhishuo's true nature, and the Emperor only knew bits and pieces, not the full story.
Moreover, from a man's perspective, having certain private preferences was only human nature.
It was said that Pei Zhishuo didn't fancy unmarried maidens but preferred married women with more worldly experience.
But this was merely hearsay, and over the years, Pei Zhishuo hadn't caused any scandals, so the Emperor had thought they were just rumors!
But seeing how the two sisters reacted to Pei Zhishuo today, he felt that perhaps the rumors weren't unfounded.
"Your Majesty knows that the Pei family wants to propose to my sister?"
Her fox-like bright eyes twinkled: "The Pei family has strong connections, and Pei Zhishuo is one of the capital's eight young talents, already holding a position in the Ministry of Rites at such a young age. When Your Majesty says he's not worthy of my sister, is there some inside information?"
"Pop!"
"Ow!"
Her forehead was firmly flicked, making a snapping sound. Jiang Xinyue covered her reddening forehead: "Shen... Your Majesty! That hurts!"
"Who told you to keep testing me?"
The Xuanwu Emperor pushed away her little head that was deliberately acting pitiful: "If you want to ask something, just ask directly. If you want to say something, just say it. Why keep beating around the bush trying to test me?"
Jiang Xinyue pouted and glared at him: "Is Your Majesty saying that Pei Zhishuo is of questionable character?"
If the Emperor also knew about Pei Zhishuo's unspeakable preferences, she believed he wouldn't push Jiang Xinyan into such a dangerous situation.
"There are some rumors."
He placed a piece of chicken in Jiang Xinyue's bowl: "So Yue'er, next time you see him, keep your distance, and don't let him get close to your sister."
Isn't it more like you're worried about him getting close to the Imperial Noble Consort?
"What kind of rumors? Your Majesty, please elaborate. My sister would like to know."
"Pfft! *cough cough cough*..."
Jiang Xinyan: I'm not! I don't! Don't make things up!
While frantically denying in her heart, when Jiang Xinyan saw the Emperor's gaze turn to her, she stiffly nodded: "Yes, brother-in-law Emperor, could you please explain in detail?"
The Emperor found these sisters' back-and-forth quite endearing and smiled: "Without proof, I can't arbitrarily condemn someone, but marrying him would be risky. Since your sister doesn't want you to take that risk, I won't let you marry someone unworthy."
Jiang Xinyan rose and bowed sincerely: "This subject thanks Your Majesty and Elder Sister."
If it weren't for Elder Sister's favor with the Emperor, she might not have escaped this fate. The Emperor only cared about her marriage because of Elder Sister, so this bow was given willingly.
"Didn't you just call me brother-in-law Emperor?"
The Xuanwu Emperor rarely joked with others: "How come the Imperial Noble Consort is still 'Elder Sister' but I've become the formal 'Your Majesty'? I prefer hearing you call me brother-in-law."
Jiang Xinyan giggled: "Well, if I'm to call you brother-in-law, it can't be for nothing."
"You dare to bargain with me?"
Born from the same parents, they indeed shared similar bold personalities.
"Then I'd better call you Your Majesty, to avoid others criticizing me for impropriety. Don't you agree, Elder Sister?"
Jiang Xinyue nodded in agreement: "Sister's concerns are quite valid. It's better to use 'Your Majesty.'"
"Tsk!"
The Emperor was about to give her another forehead flick, but seeing her reddened forehead, he ultimately couldn't bring himself to do it, instead just pushing her forehead with one finger: "You stay out of this, this is between me and your sister."
'Your Majesty' felt too distant, while 'brother-in-law Emperor' gave him a sense of family, of being accepted by Yue'er's relatives.
He turned to Jiang Xinyan and said: "Well then! What are your conditions?"
"I'd like Elder Sister and brother-in-law Emperor to arrange my marriage. Is that possible?"
Her words were quite skillfully chosen.
Putting Elder Sister before the Emperor actually meant she wanted Jiang Xinyue to make the decisions, with the Emperor's involvement being secondary.
Everyone present was shrewd enough to understand her intent - it was simply a young lady trying to avoid a bad marriage and secure her future, nothing too serious.
Her small calculation was harmless, and the Emperor could tolerate it: "Very well, I agree."
"Thank you, brother-in-law Emperor. You're so kind, no wonder Elder Sister loves you so much."
This flattery went straight to the Emperor's heart, making him view Jiang Xinyan even more favorably.
"Your Majesty, the Newly Appointed Prefect of Qin Province is waiting at Jiuzhou Qingyan. Would you..."
The previous prefect had been corrupt, and this new prefect had just taken office. The Emperor had summoned him to Jiuzhou Qingyan to discuss the situation in Qin Province with several high officials.
